U.S. patent application number 11/510312 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for fiber optic housing assembly for fiber optic connections comprising pivotable portion.
Invention is credited to Brent M. Frazier, Raymond G. Jay, Danny McGranahan, Craig A. Strause.
Application Number | 20080050083 11/510312 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39113544 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080050083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frazier; Brent M. ; et
al. |
February 28, 2008 |
Fiber optic housing assembly for fiber optic connections comprising
pivotable portion
Abstract
There is provided a fiber optic housing assembly that includes a
fiber optic interconnection portion and/or a splice portion. To
provide the technician convenient access to the interconnection
portion and/or the splice portion, the slidable shelf portion
includes a pivotable portion that allows the interconnection
portion and/or splice portion to be moved upwards or downwards,
such as by pivoting about an axis. Therefore, the technician can
preferably manipulate the fiber optic cables and/or connectors at
an upper portion of the equipment rack without using a step ladder
or similar device and at the lower portion of the equipment rack
with greater comfort. The pivotable portion includes locks,
latches, pins, and/or the like to prevent unintentional movement of
the pivotable portion relative to the shelf portion and/or exterior
portion of the housing assembly.
Inventors: |
Frazier; Brent M.; (Haslet,
TX) ; Jay; Raymond G.; (Arlington, TX) ;
McGranahan; Danny; (Ft. Worth, TX) ; Strause; Craig
A.; (Springtown, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS LLC
C/O CORNING INC., INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT, SP-TI-3-1
CORNING
NY
14831
US
|
Family ID: |
39113544 |
Appl. No.: |
11/510312 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/135 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4455
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/135 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/00 20060101
G02B006/00 |
Claims
1. A fiber optic housing assembly including at least one of a fiber
optic interconnection portion and a fiber optic splice portion
wherein the housing assembly is adapted to be selectively attached
to an equipment rack, the housing assembly comprising: an exterior
portion adapted for selective attachment to the equipment rack; a
shelf portion adapted to selectively move in a first direction
relative to the exterior portion of the housing assembly; and a
pivotable portion joined to the shelf portion and adapted to
selectively pivot in a second direction relative to the shelf
portion, wherein the second direction is different than the first
direction; wherein at least one of the fiber optic interconnection
portion and the fiber optic splice portion is joined to the
pivotable portion such that the at least one of the fiber optic
interconnection portion and the fiber optic splice portion pivots
relative to the exterior portion when the pivotable portion is
selectively pivoted relative to the shelf portion.
2. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the exterior
portion generally encloses the shelf portion and pivotable portion
when the shelf portion defines a close position.
3. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shelf
portion is selectively moveable in a first direction that is
generally aligned in a front-to-back direction relative to the
equipment rack.
4. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable
portion moves in a second direction that is a generally downward
direction relative to the shelf portion.
5. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable
portion moves in a second direction that is a generally upward
direction relative to the shelf portion.
6. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable
portion generally moves about a single axis such that the second
direction is a generally rotational direction relative to the shelf
portion.
7. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable
portion defines a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein at
least one of the fiber optic interconnection portion and the fiber
optic splice portion is joined to the top portion and the other of
the fiber optic interconnection portion and the fiber optic splice
portion is joined to the bottom portion.
8. A housing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the top portion
of the pivotable portion is adapted to selectively pivot in a
generally upward direction relative to the shelf portion.
9. A housing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the bottom
portion of the pivotable portion is adapted to selectively pivot in
a generally downward direction relative to the shelf portion.
10. A housing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising
fiber routing and slack storage devices on at least one of the
pivotable portion and the exterior portion.
11. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of the shelf portion and the pivotable portion comprises a low
profile handle on a front surface of the housing assembly.
12. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable
portion comprises a latch portion for selective locking of the
pivotable portion relative to the shelf portion.
13. A housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fiber
optic interconnection portion is joined to the pivotable portion
and the fiber optic interconnection portion comprises at least one
multipositional panel for selective mounting of one or more
adapters.
14. A fiber optic housing assembly including a fiber optic
interconnection portion and a fiber optic splice portion, the
housing assembly comprising: an exterior portion; a shelf portion
adapted to selectively move in a first direction relative to the
exterior portion of the housing assembly; and a pivotable portion
joined to the shelf portion and comprising: a top portion, wherein
at least one of the fiber optic interconnection portion and the
fiber optic splice portion is joined to the top portion; and a
bottom portion, wherein at least one of the fiber optic
interconnection portion and the fiber optic splice portion is
joined to the bottom portion; wherein at least one of the top
portion and bottom portion of the pivotable portion is adapted to
selectively pivot in a second direction relative to the shelf
portion, wherein the second direction is different than the first
direction.
15. A housing assembly according to claim 14, wherein the top
portion of the pivotable portion is adapted to selectively pivot in
a second direction relative to the shelf portion and the bottom
portion is adapted to selectively pivot in a third direction
relative to the shelf portion, wherein the third direction is
different than the first direction and the second direction.
16. A housing assembly according to claim 14, wherein the top
portion of the pivotable portion is adapted to selectively pivot in
a generally upward direction relative to the shelf portion and the
bottom portion of the pivotable portion is adapted to selectively
pivot in a generally downward direction relative to the shelf
portion.
17. A housing assembly according to claim 14, wherein the top
portion of the pivotable portion and the bottom portion of the
pivotable portion generally move about a single axis such that the
second direction is a generally rotational direction relative to
the shelf portion.
18. A housing assembly according to claim 14, wherein the fiber
optic interconnection portion is joined to the top portion of the
pivotable portion and the fiber optic interconnection portion and
is joined to the bottom portion of the pivotable portion.
19. A housing assembly according to claim 14, wherein the fiber
optic interconnection portion is joined to at least one of the top
portion and the bottom portion of the pivotable portion and the
fiber optic interconnection portion comprises at least one
multipositional panel for selective mounting of one or more
adapters.
20. A method of accessing at least one of a fiber optic
interconnection portion and a fiber optic splice portion in a
housing assembly selectively attached to an equipment rack, the
method comprising: moving a shelf portion of the housing assembly
in a first direction relative to an exterior portion of the housing
assembly; and pivoting a pivotable portion joined to the shelf
portion in a second direction relative to the shelf portion,
wherein the second direction is different than the first direction;
wherein at least one of the fiber optic interconnection portion and
the fiber optic splice portion is joined to the pivotable portion
such that the at least one of the fiber optic interconnection
portion and the fiber optic splice portion pivots relative to the
exterior portion when the pivotable portion is pivoted relative to
the shelf portion.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein pivoting the pivotable
portion in a second direction relative to the shelf portion
comprises pivoting the pivotable portion about a single axis such
that the second direction is a generally rotational direction
relative to the shelf portion.
22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising unlocking
the pivotable portion relative to the shelf portion prior to
pivoting the pivotable portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is related to fiber optic housing
assemblies, and more particularly, to fiber optic housing
assemblies adapted to provide technicians with convenient access to
the internal portions of the housing assemblies.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Fiber optic housing assemblies are often used to provide
connection points, slack storage, and other functionalities for
fiber optic communications networks at various points in the
networks. For example, housing assemblies are often used in the
central office or at customer premises in equipment racks to
modularly contain and provide the technicians access to fiber optic
connections, such as cross-connects, splices, or the like, to
splitter modules, and to other fiber optic hardware.
[0005] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two prior art housing assemblies.
FIG. 1 shows a housing assembly 10 into which fiber optic cables 12
enter and/or exit and are connected, spliced, or otherwise
manipulated within the housing assembly. Housing assembly 10
includes an interconnection portion 14 and a splice portion 16;
however, as the housing assembly defines a fixed panel housing
assembly, in order for technicians to make fiber optic connections,
fiber optic splices, or the like, the technician must walk around
the equipment rack (not shown) to access the back of the fixed
panel housing assembly thus complicating the technician's task and
requiring additional technician time.
[0006] Turning now to FIG. 2, a second prior art housing assembly
20 is shown. The housing assembly 20 includes a slide-out shelf 22
that includes a splice portion 24 for receiving a splice assembly
(not shown) and corresponding slack storage for the spliced fiber
optic cables (not shown). Although the slide-out shelf 22 does
provide improved access to the splice portion 24, such a splice
portion would be difficult for a technician to access if the
housing assembly 20 were positioned near the upper portion of the
equipment rack. Indeed, technicians often are required to use step
ladders to access such housing assemblies, thus requiring
additional technician time and creating possible safety concerns.
Similarly, when the housing assembly 20 is positioned near the
lower portion of the equipment rack, the technician must stoop or
sit on the ground to work with the splice portion 24 or other
portions of the housing assembly, which may not be desirable to the
technician.
[0007] Still further prior art housing assemblies include panels
that swing outward about a vertical axis to provide a technician
access to the front and back of the panel. However, these prior art
housing assemblies fail to address the difficulty in accessing
housing assemblies that are positioned relatively high and
relatively low in an equipment rack. Therefore, a need exists for a
fiber optic housing assembly that provides convenient access to the
various portions therein regardless of the vertical position of the
housing assembly in the equipment rack.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention addresses the above needs and achieves other
advantages by providing a housing assembly that includes a
pivotable portion that may be moved upwards and/or downwards to
improve technician access to the fiber optic portions of the
housing assembly. More specifically, the housing assemblies of some
embodiments of the present invention provide a shelf portion that
moves relative to the exterior portion of the housing assembly,
such as in a front-to-back direction. Once the shelf portion is
substantially in an open position, the technician can selectively
raise or lower a pivotable portion as desired. The pivotable
portion of various embodiments of the invention includes an
interconnection portion, a splice portion, and/or other portions
that the technician may need to access. For example, the pivotable
portion may be pivoted downward when the housing assembly is
positioned in a relatively high position in the equipment rack to
provide access to the interconnection portion, a splice portion,
and/or other portions without the need for a stepladder or the
like. Similarly, the pivotable portion may be pivoted upward when
the housing assembly is positioned in a relatively low position in
the equipment rack to provide access to the interconnection
portion, a splice portion, and/or other portions without the need
for the technician to stoop as low or to sit on the ground.
Furthermore, additional features are provided in various
embodiments of the present invention for improved functionality and
safety.
[0009] One embodiment of the present invention comprises a fiber
optic housing assembly including a fiber optic interconnection
portion and/or a fiber optic splice portion. The housing assembly
is adapted to be selectively attached to an equipment rack and
includes an exterior portion for selective attachment of the
housing assembly to the equipment rack. The housing assembly also
includes a shelf portion adapted to selectively move relative to
the exterior portion of the housing assembly, such as in a
front-to-back direction. Joined to the shelf portion is a pivotable
portion adapted to selectively pivot relative to the shelf portion.
The fiber optic interconnection portion and/or the fiber optic
splice portion is joined to the pivotable portion such that
pivoting of the pivotable portion enables the technician to achieve
convenient access to the interconnection portion and/or the splice
portion. The pivotable portion of some embodiments of the present
invention may be pivoted upwardly and/or downwardly relative to the
shelf portion, and still further embodiments include pivotable
portions with a top portion and bottom portion for convenient
access to both the interconnection portion and/or the splice
portion.
[0010] Further embodiments of the present invention provide methods
for accessing a fiber optic interconnection portion and/or a fiber
optic splice portion in a housing assembly. The shelf portion is
moved relative to the exterior portion of the housing assembly,
preferably to a position where the pivotable portion may be
pivoted. The pivotable portion may be locked relative to the shelf
portion, such that unlocking the pivotable portion allows it to be
moved relative to the shelf portion, for example by pivoting the
pivotable portion about an axis. As the interconnection portion
and/or the splice portion is preferably joined to the pivotable
portion, the technician may therefore have more convenient access
to the fiber optic hardware. Therefore, the present invention
enables technicians to service the fiber optic hardware more
quickly, more safely, and more comfortably than prior art housing
assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Having thus described the invention in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale and are meant to be illustrative and
not limiting, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a right, front perspective view of a prior art
fixed panel housing assembly comprising fixed interconnection
portions and/or splice portions;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a right, front perspective view of a prior art
slide-out shelf housing assembly comprising a
horizontally-slideable shelf that includes a splice portion;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a right, front perspective view of a housing
assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the shelf portion in the closed position
relative to the exterior portion;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a right, front perspective view of the housing
assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating the shelf portion in an opened
position relative to the exterior portion and pivotable portion in
a locked position relative to the shelf portion;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a right, front perspective view of the housing
assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating the pivotable portion selectively
pivoted relative to the shelf portion and a top cover rotated
outwardly to expose the interconnection portion and a reference
chart;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a right, front perspective view of the housing
assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating a bottom portion of the pivotable
portion selectively pivoted in a generally downward direction to
expose a splice portion without a splice assembly;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a left, front perspective view of the housing
assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating a top portion of the pivotable
portion selectively pivoted in a generally upward direction to
expose a splice portion with a splice assembly; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged right, front perspective view of the
housing assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating the pivotable portion with
the top cover and interconnection adapters removed to show the
multipositional panels for mounting of the adapters of the
interconnection portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,
the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Although apparatus and
methods for providing convenient access to fiber optic equipment
are described and shown in the accompanying drawings with regard to
a specific type of housing assembly, it is envisioned that the
functionality of the various apparatus and methods may be applied
to any now known or hereafter devised housing assemblies in which
it is desired to provide convenient access to fiber optic
equipment. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 3-8, a housing assembly 30 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. The housing assembly 30 of the illustrated embodiment
is intended to be used in a central office equipment rack and/or a
customer premises equipment rack in an environmentally controlled
setting. However, further embodiments of the present invention
comprise housing assemblies for use in other environmentally
controlled settings, in outside plant applications with or without
environmental control, such as in fiber distribution hubs, multiple
dwelling unit stations, or the like to provide non-limiting
examples, or in any other fiber optic network application in which
it is advantageous to use housing assemblies. Furthermore, the
fiber optic housing assemblies of the embodiments described herein
include fiber optic interconnection portions and/or fiber optic
splice portions; however, further embodiments of the present
invention include additional and/or alternative fiber optic
portions such as splitter portions to list one non-limiting
example.
[0022] Turning now to the fiber optic housing assembly 30 of FIG.
3, the housing assembly comprises an exterior portion 32 adapted
for selective attachment to an equipment rack (not shown). The
exterior portion 32 of the illustrated embodiment of the present
invention comprises top and bottom surfaces that are generally
opposed and left, back, and right surfaces disposed between the top
and bottom surfaces. The exterior portion 32 defines a generally
open front surface through which the shelf portion 34 is
selectively accessible and such that a front panel 36 (which
defines a front surface of the housing assembly) of the shelf
portion and/or pivotable portion 38 enables the exterior portion to
generally enclose the interconnection portion and/or splice portion
when the shelf portion defines a close position, such as in FIG. 3.
The shelf portion 34 is illustrated in the open position in FIGS.
4-8. The exterior portion 32 generally encloses the interconnection
portion and/or splice portion in order to protect them from
unintentional damage and for orderly fiber management. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the exterior portion
hermetically seals the interior of the housing assembly when the
shelf portion is in the closed position; however, the housing
assembly 30 of the illustrated embodiment is not hermetically
sealed when the shelf portion is in the closed position.
[0023] The exterior portion 32 of the housing assembly 30 is
adapted to be selectively attached to an equipment rack, such as an
equipment rack defining an interior width of 19 inches or 23
inches, to provide two non-limiting examples of equipment rack
dimensions. The exterior portion 32 comprises one or more mounting
brackets 40 adapted to connect a left side and/or right side of the
exterior portion to the equipment rack by conventional fasteners;
however, further embodiments of the present invention comprise
alternative devices and design to selectively or permanently attach
the housing assembly to an equipment rack or similar structure. The
housing assembly 30 of FIG. 3 is intended to be installed with one
or more other housing assemblies in an equipment rack in a
generally vertical fashion, and accordingly the housing assembly
defines a relatively low height, such as a height of 1.75 inches
for the illustrated embodiments, to allow a preferred number of
housing assemblies to be installed in an equipment rack to minimize
the height and/or volume of the fiber optic system. Still further
embodiments of the present invention comprises housing assemblies
with alternatively shaped and sized exterior portions adapted for
the particular requirements of the fiber optic system. The exterior
portion 32 of FIG. 3 further comprises a fiber routing guide 42
mounted to both the left and right sides of the exterior portion to
protect and/or organize the fibers entering and exiting the housing
assembly.
[0024] Turning now to the shelf portion 34 illustrated in FIG. 4,
the shelf portion is adapted to selectively move in a first
direction relative to the exterior portion 32 of the housing
assembly 30. The first direction in FIG. 4 is generally aligned in
a front-to-back direction relative to the equipment rack (not
shown) to which the housing assembly 30 is mounted; however,
further embodiments of the present invention comprise shelf
portions that are adapted to selectively move in any direction
relative to the exterior portion and or equipment rack. The shelf
portion 34 of FIG. 4 comprises a rail device 44 on both the left
and right sides of the shelf portion that engage mating rail
devices on the inside of the exterior surface. The rail devices 44
may be oriented horizontally as shown in the illustrated embodiment
or may be oriented vertically, or may be any combination thereof or
may comprise circular or other shaped or positioned devices to
allow the shelf portion 34 to move in a first direction relative to
the exterior portion 32 of the housing assembly 30.
[0025] The shelf portion 34 of the illustrated embodiment includes
one or more latch devices 46 to selectively retain the shelf
portion 34 within the exterior portion 32 in a closed position. As
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, both the left and right side of the shelf
portion 34 comprises a latch device 46, which comprises a winged
tab that may be selectively rotated by a technician, a cylinder for
receiving a key, or the like, wherein the latch device selectively
engages and disengages a mating surface of the exterior portion 32
to selectively lock and unlock the shelf portion relative to the
exterior portion. The housing assembly 30 of the illustrated
embodiment comprises one or more latch devices 46 that provide
enough retention to enable the housing assembly to conform to
current Zone 4 geographic region earthquake test requirements.
Further embodiments of the present invention include alternative
latching devices, or no latching devices at all, to selectively
retain the shelf portion relative to the exterior portion of the
housing assembly.
[0026] Joined to the shelf portion 34 is a pivotable portion 38
that is adapted to selectively pivot in a second direction relative
to the shelf portion. Whereas the first direction for the
illustrated embodiment is generally aligned in a front-to-back
direction relative to the equipment rack, the second direction in
which the pivotable portion 38 selectively pivots is preferably in
a generally upward and/or downward direction relative to the shelf
portion 34 and is more preferably about a single axis such that the
second direction is a generally rotational direction relative to
the shelf portion. Further embodiments of the present invention
comprise alternative pivotable portions that selectively pivot in
alternative directions or combinations of multiple directions
and/or about one or more axes. For example, the pivotable portion
of some embodiments moves generally orthogonally relative to the
shelf portion. Referring now to FIG. 5, the pivotable portion 38 is
shown rotated downwardly relative to the shelf portion 34 and is
shown with a top cover 48 rotated outwardly to expose the
interconnection portion 50 on the pivotable portion and a reference
chart 52 on the top cover. The top cover 48 is preferably included
to provide protection for the interconnection portion 50 and/or the
fibers 54 passing into and out of the interconnection portion. The
reference chart 52 is preferably provided on the top cover 48 to
allow the technician to provide and review information about one or
more of the connections in the interconnection portion 50. However,
further embodiments of the present invention comprise pivotable
portions with alternative top covers and/or reference charts or
with no top cover or reference chart.
[0027] The interconnection portion 50 of the illustrated embodiment
comprises two arrays comprising twelve adapters each, wherein the
adapter is configured to optically connect two fiber optic
connectors, such as in a cross-connect or other interconnection
portions known in the art. FIG. 5 illustrates the input fibers 54
that are optically connected to the central office or other signal
originating device and routed about various retainers before being
connected to the interconnection portion 50; however, FIG. 5 does
not show the output fibers optically connected to customer premises
(or intended to be subsequently connected to customer premises) and
intended to optically connected to the interconnection portion
opposite the input fibers. Slack storage hubs 56 and 58 are shown
in FIG. 5 to provide routing of the output fibers once installed to
provide sufficient slack for technicians to connect the output
fibers and to maintain the minimum bend radius of the fibers.
Additional clips and other fiber retainers are provided to
selectively retain the fibers. Pivotable portions of further
embodiments of the present invention comprise alternative
interconnection portions and may or may not comprise slack storage
hubs as required by the specific application of the housing
assembly.
[0028] Also provided on the pivotable portion 38 of FIG. 5 is one
or more optical connector 60 into which one or more fibers 62 are
optically connected to the input fibers 54. The optical connectors
60 of FIG. 5 are preferably fan-out connectors into which a ribbon
fiber or similar cable of multiple fibers is divided into multiple
individual fibers for selective connection of the individual
fibers, pair of fibers, or the like. The fibers 62 are optically
connected to the fiber optic splice portion as discussed more fully
below. Further embodiments of the present invention comprise
pivotable portions with alternative connectors for optically
connecting the various fibers and/or may comprise no connector at
all, for example, in the case of an interconnection portion that
receives a ribbon cable or the like and is adapted to receive one
or more individual fiber cables opposite the interconnection
portion.
[0029] The pivotable portion 38 of FIG. 5 is selectively pivotable
about one or pins or similar devices (not shown) that define an
axis near the back of the shelf portion 34, such that the pivotable
portion pivots relative to the rail devices 44 of the shelf portion
34. One or more first linkages 64 are provided proximate the middle
of the shelf portion 34 to allow the pivotable portion 38 to pivot
downward a predetermined distance and to retain the pivotable
portion in a relatively fixed position relative to the shelf
portion to allow the technician to conveniently work with the
various components and/or fibers included on the pivotable portion.
The pivotable portion 34 comprises one or more slots 66
corresponding to one end of the first linkage 64 to allow the first
linkage to travel a predetermined distance. In addition, the one or
more linkages 64 of the illustrated embodiment enable the pivotable
portion 38 to remain in a generally horizontal fashion after being
unlocked from the shelf portion 34 by a technician, such that the
pivotable portion can be lowered as desired by the technician as
opposed to unintentionally dropping after being unlocked. Still
further embodiments of the present inventions provided alternative
devices for enabling the pivotable portion to selectively pivot
relative to the shelf portion.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 6, the pivotable portion 38 defines a
top portion 68 and a bottom portion 70, wherein at least one of the
fiber optic interconnection portion 50 and the fiber optic splice
portion 72 is joined to the top portion and the other is joined to
the bottom portion. For the illustrated embodiment, the
interconnection portion 50 is joined to the top portion and the
splice portion 72 is joined to the bottom portion, however, further
embodiments include the portions in reverse constructions. The top
portion 68 of the pivotable portion 38 of FIG. 6 is adapted to
selectively pivot in a second direction or generally upward
direction relative to the shelf portion 34, and the bottom portion
70 is adapted to selectively pivot in a third direction or
generally downward direction relative to the shelf portion. Further
embodiments of the present invention include top and bottom
portions that pivot in alternative orthogonal, lateral, and/or
rotational directions.
[0031] As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the pivotable portion 38
comprises a latch portion 74 for selectively locking the pivotable
portion relative to the shelf portion 34. The latch portion 74
enables the pivotable portion 38 to be removed from the exterior
portion 32 in a relatively fixed position relative to the shelf
portion 34 and to prevent the pivotable portion from
unintentionally pivoting downward or in other directions. The latch
portion 74 of the illustrated embodiment is mechanically connected
to one or more pins 76 such that rotation of the latch portion 74
linearly moves the one or more pins to selectively engage or
disengage the shelf portion to accordingly allow the pivotable
portion to pivot relative to the shelf portion. Alternative
embodiments of the housing assembly of the present invention
include alternative latch portions or no latch portion.
[0032] Turning now to the splice portion 72 joined to the pivotable
portion 38, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the splice portion 72 is
joined to the bottom portion 70 of the pivotable portion. FIG. 6
illustrates the splice portion 72 without a splice assembly,
whereas FIG. 7 illustrates the splice assembly 78 included in the
splice portion. The splice assembly 78 is shown with fibers
entering into the housing assembly 30 and being routed about slack
storage hubs 80 and other fiber retainers to provide the technician
with sufficient fiber slack to perform the splice operation. The
fiber entering the housing assembly is preferably spliced to the
fiber 62 that is optically connected to the interconnection portion
50 as discussed above.
[0033] FIG. 7 also shows the top portion 68 of the pivotable
portion 38 selectively pivoted in a generally upward direction
relative to the shelf portion 34 such that the technician is able
to conveniently access the splice portion 72. The top portion 68
includes one or more second linkages 82 provided proximate the
middle of the shelf portion 34 and/or pivotable portion 38 to allow
the top portion 68 to pivot upward a predetermined distance and to
retain the pivotable portion in a relatively fixed position
relative to the shelf portion and/or bottom portion 70 to allow the
technician to conveniently work with the various components and/or
fibers included on the bottom portion. The pivotable portion 34
comprises one or more slots corresponding to one end of the second
linkage 82 to allow the second linkage to travel a predetermined
distance. Still further embodiments of the present inventions
provided alternative devices for enabling the top portion to
selectively pivot relative to the shelf portion and/or bottom
portion.
[0034] The front panel 36 of the pivotable portion 38 of the
illustrated embodiment comprises a low profile handle 84 on a front
surface of the housing assembly. The handle 84 is attached to the
front surface at two points and is able to swing about the two
points that are preferably axially aligned. The handle 84 rests in
generally upward direction, as shown in FIG. 3, such that the
handle defines a low profile; however, the handle is also capable
of swinging outwardly to enable the technician to better grasp the
handle to selectively move the shelf portion and/or pivotable
portion. The handle 84 is illustrated in the outward position in
FIGS. 4, 6, and 8. Further embodiments of the present invention
include alternative low profile handles, such as recessed handles
to provide one non-limiting example.
[0035] The fiber optic interconnection portion 50 of the
illustrated embodiment comprises one or more multipositional panels
86 for selective mounting of one or more adapters. FIG. 8 provides
an enlarged view of the multipositional panels 86 of the
interconnection portion 50, with one multipositional panel in a
lower position in contact with and generally parallel to the
pivotable portion 38 and with the other multipositional panel in an
upright position such that it is not in contact and generally
angled relative to the pivotable portion. The multipositional panel
86 includes a channel portion to allow the technician to selective
raise the multipositional panel relative to the channel portion and
reposition the multipositional panel from the lower position to the
upright position or vice versa Alternative embodiments of the
present invention include alternative multipositional panels having
alternative shapes and/or components to allow movement of the
interconnection portion relative to the pivotable portion. Still
further embodiments of the present invention comprise no
multipositional panels at all. The multipositional panel 86 of FIG.
8 also comprises an opening 88 adapted to receive one or more
adapters of the interconnection portion 50. The multipositional
panel 86 is adapted for selective movement relative to the
pivotable portion 50 when the multipositional panel includes no
adapters or one or more adapters.
[0036] The housing assembly 30 of the present invention provides a
technician convenient and effective access to the fiber optic
portions within the housing assembly. Methods for accessing a fiber
optic interconnection portion 50 and a fiber optic splice portion
72 are provided by the present invention. The technician moves the
shelf portion 34 of the housing assembly 30 in a first direction,
such as a front-to-back direction, relative to an exterior portion
32 of the housing assembly. Once the shelf portion 34 is
substantially outside the exterior portion 32, the technician
pivots the pivoting portion 38 that is joined to the shelf portion
34 in a second direction, such as in a rotational direction about a
single axis to provide one non-limiting example of a second
direction, relative to the shelf portion. The interconnection
portion 50 and/or the splice portion 72 are joined to the pivotable
portion 38 such that the technician can conveniently access the
interconnection portion and/or the splice portion after pivoting
the pivotable portion. Further embodiments of the present invention
comprise alternative and additional methods for accessing fiber
optic portions of the housing assembly.
[0037] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that the
present invention cover the modifications and variations of this
invention provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents. Although specific terms are employed
herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and
not for purposes of limitation.
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